Champ's Eviction Threatens Free Meals

July 23, 1986|By Goldie Blumenstyk of The Sentinel Staff

Operators of the Daily Bread meal program in Orlando say they hope Champ Williams' restaurant business is not evicted from Orlando International Airport, but if it is, they will find another way to provide free meals for the hungry.

Officials from the Christian Service Center, which runs Daily Bread, said they already have been contacted by several hotels that may be able to replace the service rendered by Williams for the past 11 years.

Williams faces eviction in connection with airport authority findings that he skimmed profits from his airport restaurant business.

At least one of the companies that hopes to replace Williams at the airport when his lease expires April 30 -- Marriott's Host International -- has pledged that if it wins the airport franchise, it ''will not let the program die,'' a company spokesman said Tuesday.

''We're going to find a way to keep the food flowing,'' said Bill Warden, chairman of the Christian Service Center.

Williams' company cooks and delivers from 200 to 340 meals a day for the program, supported by volunteers from 137 churches. The food is prepared in Williams' airport kitchens and taken by van to the Daily Bread kitchen at 24 Glen Lane near West Central Avenue, shortly before noon each day.

But that delivery, which has provided more than 661,000 meals since July 1, 1975, could be interrupted.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which operates the airport, last week began the eviction of Williams' McCoy Restaurants Inc.

The action came after a two-month investigation of Williams' business by airport lawyers. The probe convinced authority members they have ''reasonable basis'' to believe Williams' business violated its lease by skimming profits to avoid paying all rents and not keeping accurate business records. The rent is based on a percentage of sales.

The family has denied the skimming charges. Lawyer David King, the family spokesman, said he did not know how the airport action may affect the company's ability to provide the meals.

''The Williamses are going to continue to try to meet their commitment to Daily Bread as long as they're able to do so,'' King said.

Airport officials said they do not plan to consider the Daily Bread program when they decide later this month on how and whether to evict the company.

''You can't tie these things together,'' said Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick, one of seven authority members. The airport ''will not be held hostage on this issue by some social service.''

Warden said Daily Bread would find it unfortunate if the Williamses could no longer provide the food because ''there's a very strong emotional tie there.''

There are alternatives, Warden said. One is to have the lunches prepared in the Meals on Wheels kitchen at the Marks Street Senior Center. The kitchen already is used to prepare about 2,400 meals a day for senior citizens and shut-ins in Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. Funding would have to be provided, though.

Warden said he also believes there are businesses ''looking for ways to enhance their public image'' that would be willing to pay for the food or prepare and deliver it.